Graphic control record board



Nov. 11 1924. f 1514.829

W. C. BRINTON GRAPHIC CONTROL RECORD BOARD Filed Sept, 26. 1917 3 h e heet 1 Fier 7 14 NOV. s

W. C. BRINTON GRAPHIC CONTROL RECORD BOARD 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 26. 1917 Fi .5.

Patented Nov. 11, 1924,

UNHTEQ STATES WILLARD C. BRIN'TON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

GRAPHIC CONTROL RECORD BOARD.

Application filed September 26, 1917.

To all 10 71cm it m my concern.

Be it known that I, l/VILLARD C. BRINTON,

a citizen of the United States of America,

and a resident of New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Graphic Control Record Boards, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

lvly invention relates to methods and apparatus for graphically presenting facts and has special reference to charts or boards having adjustable means for producing value curves and varying them as desired.

One object of my invention is to provide a simple nleansfor representing valuesthat siall be susceptible of ready adjustment to meet varying conditions.

A further object is to provide means adapted for representing both estimated and actual values, the estimated value representation being readily adjustable to make it dependent upon the most recent actual value information.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a method of making value curves on awall board or the like, that shall. be clean and accurate in construction and striking 30 and attractive in appearance.

Another object is to provide a variable record board comprising a plurality of adjust-ably supported strips or tickets which may be varied as to height or position to represent values, the width of each strip representing, for example, a period of time. 7

In order that my invention may be thor oughly understood I will now proceed to describe the same in the following specification and then point out the novel features thereof in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a frame or board constituting one embodiment of my invention.

F'gure 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, drawn to a larger scale.

Figure 3 is a partial elevation illustrating a modification of my invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail of the struc ture shown in Figure 8, and

Figures 5 and 6 are views corresponding Serial No. 193,393.

to Figures 3 and 1 showing still another modification of my invention.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of another record board which is arranged and constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of a board shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a partial front elevatioir drawn to a large scale to show the structure in detail and t Figure 10 is a sectional detail drawn tocon-espond with Figure 9.

Figures 11 and 12 correspond to Figure 10 and show slightly modified arrangements which may be employed-instead of that shown in Figure 10.

The utility of the board shown in Figures 7 to 11 inclusive is further illustrated by Figures 13 and 14; which are front elevas tions of portions of the board.

Fig. 15 is a front elevation of an indicating pin head.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2,15 designates a board or mount of any suitable form which may preferably be pro vided with a frame such as 16, and is supported in a vertical plane. It may, for eX- ample, be conveniently secured to the ver tical wall of a room or office. Appearing on the face of the board 15 near the lower right hand corner is an area designated 17 having coordinate lines 18 and 19. The coordinate lines may, if desirechextend over the entire board but I prefer to leave a. rela tively wide margin at the left and at the top as illustrated, in order to leave room for the introduction of suitable scales, and columns of figures as shown. 1 v

The base line 20 is divided by the coordinate lines 19 into time periods which may represent months and are numbered from 1 to 12 consecutively. I v i There is thus presented a coordinate sheet having time set off in one-direction and values to be plotted in the other direction.

Assuming, for example, that thevalues represent the total value of sales made-by a certain salesman, or by a company, the value of sales foreach month is indicated by the introduction of a pin or tack 21 into the board at the proper position on the coordinate lines 19. Inorder that tlie curve may start at the beginning of the year inell) stead of at the end of the first month, the first point on the curve such as the point 21, is placed according to the value of sales for thelast month of the previous year. The sales for the first month of the new year which is to be plotted are represented by the point 22 and so on. one pin being located on each of the lines up to the current month. The record in fact is intended to be advanced month by month as the records are available.

In order that the sales may be represented by acurve instead of by the pins alone, I tie a suitable cord or thread 23 of some color Whichfcontrasts in an attractive and striking manner, with the background of the mat, to the pin 21 and stretch it around the successive pins letting it hang downwardly from the last pin available, a -Weight 23 being attached to the end of the cord to keep it taut.

In addition to this curve other curves may be plotted on the same board, for example, a curve may be formed by adding each months sales to the preceding, thus getting the total sales represented. An estimated curve of this kind may be made at the beginning of the year from past performances of the samesalesman in other years, or past records of the company, as the case may be. The curve will be corrected each month in accordance with the actual sales value curve, the adjustment of the pins on the board being very readily accomplished.

The estimated curve and the actual total curve may be made independent, say, with strings or cords 31 and 32 of different colors. iVeights 31 and 32 are attached to the respective cords. The estimated curve will then be corrected each month judging from the record of the month, last past; thus, for exai nple, the estimated curve may be as indicated at at the beginning of the year, the actual curve may be found to he as indicatediat then the estin'iated curve should be revised as shown in broken lines at 26. Thus the estimated curve is always based upon the best information available.

As another example, one curve ma y indicate a schedule of goodsto be manufactured and the other show the goods actually produced.

.Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the pins may he very readily changed in position and consequently the adjustment of the estimated curve for exa pl can be very readily made. At any time in the year a glance at the board indicates very simply and accurately the amount f sales being brought n. Th a e y close line may lie-kept on the sales force or On theentire Sales ofa firm or company It is evident that in tead of depending upon sticking thepins into the board or mat at the desired position the curve may be very closely approximated, particularly if the coordinate lines are close together, by having a series of small holes in the board as designated at 27 in Figure 3. These holes are at the intersection of the coordinates and are adapted to receive specially fitted plugs or pins 28.

A series of buttons or pins are located at the bottom of they board opposite the vertical coordinates in convenient location to have the cord Wound over them to keep the weight above the floor-and out of the Way when the points of the curve are rela-. tively low, as shownin Figure 3.

As the points always fall on the coordinates l9 representing thecl-ose of the time period,.the board be formed as shown in Figure 5, with slots orgrooves-19h extending at right angles to the coordinates 18 and taking the place of the coordinates 19, These slots may be enlarged at the bottom as shown in Figure 6,v and spring clips 29 which fit closely in the slots utilized therein. The clips mayofcourse he slid along the slots to any desired position andfltl e strings or cords rlo-r indicatingtlw curves attached. to them.

.lo call. the attention or the management or anyone interested, to the fact thatthe actual curve has fallen below the schedule or estimated curve, as forexample, in Figure 1, a large arrow, flag or other signal may be employed. It the curve. is below the schedule, the red arrow or, signal may be employed for example, and if it is above a blue or green arrow may be employed. The arrow will usually be cut out of celluloid and adapted to be fastened to the board at any -c( )11 You i ent position.

Referring now to Figures 'Tto ll inclusive, the structure here shown comprises a board 40 having a sheet el ofsome tough yielding material, such as celluloid, in .which a large number of cuts or slots 42 are made, 'lhese cuts or slots lie in parallel coordinate lines which extend horizontally oi? the board on which the sheet ll is mounted. I prefer to reinforce the sheet and to hold it firmly inposition mrticularly at the ends of the slots, by means of screws or tacks 4 wl' ich extend through the sheet ell and have washers 44 which may overhang'the ends of the slots, but in any event produce a pressure between the slotted sheet and. the back and provide suitficient friction to hold the tickets in position as adjusted.

The washers may be omitted if screws are employed because the pressure can be easily adjusted by turning the screws inor out to give the friction desired. It tacks .ornails are employed, resilient-Washers are desirable and I prefer to utilize a spring washer. 45 as shown in Figure 11 or a felt washer lfias shown in Figure 12. Spring fingers press- Ill] ing the slotted sheet against the backing may be substituted for the washers if desired.

Strips or tickets of celluloid or the like are provided and are fitted with considerable friction into the slots 42. They are set into the slots and allowed to extend above the slots to a height which represents a definite value on the scale shown at the left in Figure 7 for example.

The tickets or strips which are placed in the slots may be formed of celluloid with sand-blasted surfaces or of cardboard or like material, so that the value of figures may be written directly thereon. By this means the positionof the ticket indicates a value and the ticket may constitute a. memorandum of the value as written on itst'ace. WVhen a ticket is changed in position the value figures are easily erased and new ones put on. This is particularly advantageous for limit tickets, as hereinafter described. which indicate the capacity of a mill for example.

The surface plate of the board may also be suitable for having memoranda written thereon.

In an arrangement like that shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pins or plugs may have flat sand-blasted celluloid heads on which the value corresponding to its position is inscribed. A pin of this kind is shown in Figure 15.

The board may be utilized for various purposes and is well adapted to be utilized for keeping a continuous record of the orders booked for delivery at any definite time. Assuming for example, that a mill manufac turing different widths of cloth has a group of salesmen in the field. The salesmen are continually telegraphing in orders for cloth for delivery at different times,so many yards for example in January; so many in l ebruary, and. so many in March, etc. By raising the tickets or slips l? to correspond to the orders in each month of the year, it may be seen at a glance how near the capacity of the mill is sold, for any given month. The capacity of the mill may for instance be marked by a limit strip or ticket of a. different color as shown at 4-8 in Figure 13, and one or more narr wer strips 49 and 52 repre senting the orders. raised gradually over the limit strip, By this means it may be seen at a glance just what the condition of the orders is and it possible to operate several sets of tickets at once. the tickets havingdifferent colors and representing each a different grade or width of material.

The tickets may either be built up to make a continuous strip from a zero line which is designated so that their exposed length as well as the height of the toprepresents the aggregate amount of the orders, or only the top line of each ticket may be depended upon to indicate the amount of the order as read on the scale at the left.

In the latter case only a small part of each ticket will be visible, as shown near the top of the board in Figure 7, and the tops of the tickets will produce a curve which is designated 55. There will thus obviously be room for several curves on the board at the same time. It is not essential that all curves be plotted from the same zero line, one or more of the scales being preferably started from an intermediate zero line such as 56, so as to keep the curves from conflicting.

The zero line which is intermediate the board may be clearly designated by the use of a transverse cord or tape 6% having weights 65 hung at its respective ends.

The current month or some other predetermined special time may be conveniently designated by means of cords or tapes suspended from the top of the board and extending at right angles to the base line. A tape 57 having a weight 58 to keep it tent is attached by a pin or tack 59 and a tape 60 having a weight 61 is suspended from a pin or tack 62, one being located at one side and one at the other of the current months tickets.

Attention is directed to the fact that the board may be photographed, each day or each week for example, to give a permanent record of the condition of the orders from time to time.

When the wide and narrow strips or tickets are used together as shown in Figures 13 and 14, care must be taken to sel ct contrasting colors which will photograph to diiferentiate from each other.

If the background photographs light and the limit ticket dar i, then if the sale ticket shows light it will contrast properly unless the factory is oversold and the sales ticket raised above the limit. In this case the sales ticket should have a dark margin line as shown at or a light n'iai'gin as indicated at 54:.

The board. instead of being used in a vertical position may be laid on a table or utilized in any suitable position ant. springs substituted if necessary for the weights to hold the cords or tapes taut. or the cords may extend over the edge of the table and have weights attached to them that they are drawn taut.

While I prefer to utilize cords which BX- tend between the pins to clearly indicate the curve, this is not essential and the pins alone may be utilized in which case it is desirable to increase the number of pins by locating, more points on the curve.

Instead of having the cord fastened at zero and extending between the pins or attachments so that it depends from the last one, the weight maybe attached to the opposits end of the cord .01 the cord wound on a spring drum or the like at the zero pointi'rom which it is pulled out as each additional point is added to the curve In this case a ring may convenientl be attached to the outerend of the cord so that it can be fastened radially to the last pin.

The strings may be made of different colors in order that the curves may be readily contrasted or pins of one color may be used for one curve and those of another color for another curve.

The back or surface member into which the tickets or pins are to be inserted may be in the form of a blackboard, or smooth surface member on which areas may be readily shaded by chalk, crayon or the like. I The utility of the shaded areas is illustrated in Figure 5 where two curves for example, are shown, one indicating the income or bills receivable, the other the outgo or bills payable. The difierence between the curves indicates the estimated balance or deficit and if the area represents a deficit it maybe shaded in one color and the areas represent a balanceshaded in another color.

While I have shown the strings extending between a large number of pins to represent a curve, certain mathematical computation curyes may be made by the use of a single pin at the zero line and another pin adjusta bly located at a distance from the zero with a cord stretched from the zero over the pin. In other words, my invention is not limited to a large number of pins and curves may be designated by as few as two pins.

The structure shown and described may of course be utilized in a wide variety of waya and while lhave chosen simpleillustrations in order that the operation of the device may be clear, I intend onlysuch limitations as are imposed by the appended claims.

lVhatI claim is;

1. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a surface plate provided with a plurality of slots arranged in sub- Stantially parallel coordinate lines, substantially fiat tickets or strips adapted to be mounted-in the slots and to project predetern'iined amounts therefrom to enable the top of each ticket or strip to indicate a value.

A graphic record appa a u comprising a support a surface plate thereon having a plurality of slots arranged in substantially parallel coordinate lines, means for pressing the surface plate against the support near the ends of the slots, and tickets or Strips adapted to be inserted in the slots and extending above the slots to rep-resent values.

3. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having means corresponding in position to coordinate lines for supporting tickets .or cards in various positions thereon, said tickets or cards being adapted to m sses have valuenumbers Written thereon, where by not only their position on the board but also the legend inscribed thereon designate their value;

a. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having means corresponding in position to coordinate lines for supporting celluloid tickets in various positions thereon, said celluloid tickets having roughened surfaces adapted to have figures inscribed thereon to represent their values corresponding to the positions which they occupy on the board.

5. Agraphic record apparatus comprising a board haying coordinate lines and means adapted to be adjustably mounted on the board to produce an adjustable curve.

6. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having coordinate lines, and means adapted to he adjustably mounted on the board to produce an adjustable curve, said means being adapted to have figures inscribed thereon to designate their values corresponding to their positions on the board.

7 A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a plurality of parallel slots arranged in parallel coordinate lines on the board, and adjustable means adapted to be mounted in the slots to represent sections or", the curve, and means for frictionally holding the adjustable means.

8. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a plurality or" parallel slots together forming coordinate lines on the board, and tickets adjustably mounted in the slots and adapted to have value numbers inscribed on the exposed end thereof and arranged to represent sections of a curve.

9. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a plurality of parallel slots together forming coordinate lines on the board, tickets adjustably mounted in the slots, and means for frictionally holding the tickets in adjusted positions to represent the sections of a curve. 7

1.0. A graphic record apparatus con'iprising a board having a plurality ofparallel slots arranged in parallel coordinate lines on the board, tickets adjustably mounted in the slots, and adjustable means for trictionally holding the tickets to represent sections of a curve.

11. A graphic record apparatus comprising a slottediboard adapted to receive a plurality of tickets, the positions of the tickets determining a curve and cords or tapes extending transversely of the slots and l etween groups thereof to emphasize a particular portion of the curve.

12. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board: having a pluralityof slots laid out in coordinate lines, means adjustably mounted in the slots for determining sections of the curve and means for emphasizing one of the sections of the curve that consists in stretching cords or tapes on the respective sides of the section to be emphasized.

l3. A 'raphic record apparatus compri ing a board having a plurality of slots laid out in coordinate lines and tickets adjustably mounted in the slots adapted to represent a period of time such as one month and their position or height representing a value for that time, and means for emphasizing one period of time on the board as for example, a current month.

14. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a plurality of slots laid out in coordinate lines and tickets adjustably mounted. in the slots adapted to represent a period of time such as one month and their position or height representing a value for that time, and means for emphasizing one period of time on the board as for example, a current month that consists in stretching cords or tapes at right angles to the slots and on respective sides of the current months ticket.

15. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a surface member of one color in which are a plurality of slots, tickets adapted to the adjustably mounted in the slots, limit tickets of a different color mounted in the slots and adjustable curve section tickets mounted in the same slots and adapted to be adjusted independently of the limit tickets to represent sections of a curve.

16. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a surface member of one color in which are a plurality of slots, tickets adapted to be adjustably mounted in the slots, limit tickets of a. different color mounted in the same slots and adapted to be adjusted independently of the limit tickets, the adjustable tickets having a body to contrast particularly with the limit ticket, and a margin adapted to contrast with the surface member whereby the outline of the ticket will photograph when the adjustable ticket extends beyond the limit ticket.

1?. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a surface member with slots therein, and a. plurality of tickets adjustably mounted in each slot whereby said tickets are adapted to represent sect-ions of a curve.

18. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a plurality of slots laid out in coordinate lines, tickets adjustably supported in said slots and arranged to rep resent sections of a curve, and means for stretching a cord or tape in alignment with one set of slots to designate a base line intermediate the board.

19. A graphic record apparatus comprising means for representing the curve on the board, and a signal adapted to be removably mounted on the board to call attention to a particular part of the curve.

20. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having coordinate lines thereon, a zero point, an adjustable member and a cord extending between the zero point and the adjustable member and having means for holding it taut. A

21. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having coordinate lines thereon,

a zero point, an adjustable member for indieating difierent values on said lines, and a cord extending between the Zero point and the adjustable member and having a weight secured thereto for holding it taut.

22. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having coordinate lines thereon, a zero point, adjustable means for indicatmg diiferent values on said lines, a cord extending from the zero around said adjustable means and means for holding said cord taut.

28. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having coordinate lines thereon, a zero point, adjustable pins for indicating diiferent values on said lines, a cord extending from the zero around said adjustable pins and means for holding said cord taut.

24. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having coordinate lines thereon, a zero point, adjustable means for indicating different values on said lines, a cord extending from the zero around said adjustable means and a weight secured to the cord for holding said cord taut.

25. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a surface plate provided with a plurality of slots arranged in sub stantially parallel coordinate lines, substantially fiat strips adapted to be adjustably mounted in the slots and to project to a desired extent therefrom to enable the exposed portion of each strip to indicate a value.

26. A graphic record apparatus comprising a board having a surface plate provided with means arranged in substantially parallel coordinate lines for supporting strips, substantially fiat strips adapted to be ad justably supported by said means and to project to a desired extent therefrom to enable the exposed portion of each strip to indicate a value.

llf)

27. A graphic record apparatus compris- 1VILLARD C. BRINTON. 

